5 Mouthwatering Cuisines Of Himachal Pradesh You Must Try

Although famous for all its mighty snow-capped mountains, valleys, dense forests, vast expanses of meadows and pastures, etc., and its unending charms and glory fancied by those visiting the state, there is another important aspect specific to the state - its culinary delights.

Every state in India boasts of its culture and traditional cuisine that is served on special occasions such as festivals and marriages etc, as much as does Himachal Pradesh. It will not be out of context to say that the inherent beauty of Himachal Pradesh does not lie only in its natural beauty but also its traditional cuisine contributed largely to its beauty and glory.

Dham is a traditional feast that is held on all important occasions like marriages, festivals or any other occasion like various domestic celebrations etc. A dham which s essentially a vegetarian spread comprises of multiple dishes that comprise a combination of rice, rajmah, chickpeas, khatta, dal, at times sambar, matter paneer etc. such a Himachali cuisine is also known as the Pahari cuisine.

# MADRA

The foremost serving along with rice, in a dham, Madra, specific to the regions of the Kangra and Chamba districts of the state, that represents the food culture of Himachal, is a dish that consists mainly of soaked chickpeas, or other vegetables cooked along with potatoes in oil, yogurt,, that imparts to it that typical creamy texture, and various spices like turmeric, cloves, cardamoms, cinnamon, cumin, dhaniya etc. to further enhance the taste of the dish while imparting it with a distinct mouth-watering taste, making it an important part of any delectable Himachali cuisine.

# DHAAM

Dham, a traditional Himachali cuisine, usually prepared in the Chamba & Manali regions of the state, as already discussed above is a complete meal in itself, comprising of rice, dal, rajmah, curd, kadi, very well complemented with a sweet dish, making it a complete and a healthy dose of nutrients. It happens to be a plate full of delicious delicacies a must serve on any and all formal occasions in the state. The special feature about this is as discussed above, that it is prepared by specially trained cooks known as Boti’s and to savor the lingering taste of this you must visit the state during some festive season.

# TUDKIYA BHAATH

We have savored and know about what Pulao is, but have you ever tried the Pahadi Pulao or the Tudkiya Bhaath, as it is commonly known. The Tudkiya Bhaat is a delicious recipe and a perfect blend of numerous spices proportionately added. An ideal combination of rice cooked with potatoes, lentils, and yogurt in a generous combination of tomatoes, onions, garlic, cinnamon, cardamoms, giving the dish an unforgettable lip-smacking taste.

The addition of a few drops of lime further enhances the taste of this mouthwatering and lip-smacking Himachali dish, found mainly in the Chamba district of the state, invariably leaving you yearning for more.

# BHEY OR SPICY LOTUS STEMS

A typically Himachali dish found all over Himachal, it is prepared by thinly slicing the Lotus roots into circular pieces and then cooking them in oil after soaking them in a delicious paste of onions, ginger garlic, and gram floor, till crispy brown. This paste adds to it a very distinct and great taste. Alternatively, you can also cook these into a curry form using some additional spices etc.

# CHHA GOSHT

One of the typically scrumptious Himachali dishes for the hard-core non-vegetarians is definitely a dish not to be missed out on when visiting the state on any one of our best Himachal Pradesh tour packages.

This traditional dish of Himachal is prepared using well-marinated lamb, further cooked in gram flour and yogurt, and some of the spices like cloves, cinnamon, cardamoms, cumin, red chili powder, bay leaf, ginger-garlic paste, and asafetida. When properly cooked in the combination of all these, the taste and the flavor that is brought out is nothing less than mouthwatering, a must-try when on a visit to the state.